Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Government House

Every year, many people bring their families to Government House to appreciate the blooming azaleas. Over ten thousand people come all the way to Central, climb the steep Garden Road and briefly queue outside Government House to see this building's architecture and interior decoration, feast their eyes on the beautiful azaleas, take some photos and spend a leisurely and happy Sunday with their families and friends.

This year, however, some people chose to stage protests on this occasion at Government House against parallel traders and the arrangements for universal suffrage. They tried to bring suitcases into Government House to put up a show of distributing the goods inside. They shouted slogans and displayed banners, causing a nuisance to other visitors who were appreciating the flowers. They even warned members of the public not to go into Government House. Many people present were outraged by what they did.

The HKSAR Government pays great attention to the impact of parallel traders on local residents. We have been looking at the problem with the Central Authorities with a view to relieving the situation. As for universal suffrage, there have already been lengthy and extensive discussions in the community.

There is no lack of opportunity for people to express their views in Hong Kong. On every Tuesday before the meeting of the Executive Council, for instance, I meet petitioners at the entrance to the Chief Executive's Office building. By causing a nuisance to people visiting Government House today, did these protesters really want to express their views, or were they trying to get exposure and achieve other political ends? Are such trouble-making acts any different from the clashes with tourists in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun?

Despite the nuisance caused by protesters, a total of 14,900 people visited Government House on this year's Open Day. I would like to thank my Office's colleagues and those in other departments involved in the organisation of the Open Day, in particular members of the horticulture team of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Government House, as well as members of the Police Force and Civil Aid Service who maintained order on the Open Day. Thanks to their efforts, most visitors were able to have a great time.

My wife and I shook hands with visitors to Government House on its Open Day today.		My wife and I shook hands with visitors to Government House on its Open Day today.
Members of the Civil Aid Service helped maintain order at Government House.		Members of the horticulture team of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Government House are instrumental in staging a successful Open Day.

March 15, 2015